Remembering Lakewood mayor's husband, Bruce DuBois

Anyone who knew Bruce DuBois, said there were two things he loved: his family and the city of Lakewood.

A resident since 1960, DuBois and his wife, Lakewood Mayor Diane DuBois, still lived in the home where they raised their family.

Bruce DuBois died unexpectedly of an aneurysm May 15. He was 76.

Born in 1935 at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, he attended school in Compton until he transferred to Downey High School where he graduated in 1953.

After high school, Bruce DuBois, then 18, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in France. After his discharge, he attended Compton College, where he met his future wife met in 1957.

"I was in a sorority and he was in a veterans organization," the mayor said. "I guess he saw me in the hall, but I didn't see him."

They later met at a party, began dating and were married the following year, in 1958.

"My family and I are thankful for the many wonderful years we all had together," Diane DuBois said. "We had over 50 years together and you always have ups and downs, but we managed to get through those and we had good friends who supported us."

Some of her husband's fondest memories were with lifetime friends he made as a Lakewood Jaycee, a service group that provides leadership training through community service for adults age 18 to 40.

"Bruce and I met back in the 1960s when we both got very active in the Jaycees," said former Lakewood councilmember Joe Esquival.

Bruce DuBois was a state director of the Jaycees, and Esquival was president.

"We became close friends and our families became very close too," he said. "Our kids grew up together and we took vacations together. We had a lot of great times."

Bruce DuBois enjoyed interacting with people and liked to expound on things such as politics and sports.

"Bruce was a very intelligent man; one of the smartest people I've known. I'd have him on Jeopardy any time," Esquivel said. "There wasn't a conversation he couldn't get involved in and then quickly be on top of."

After retirement, Bruce DuBois enjoyed volunteering for Lakewood Meals on Wheels. Delivering meals to shut-ins became his passion, his wife said.

"What he would point to in pride in his retirement was Meals on Wheels," she said. "Once a week we would deliver meals in the city of Lakewood. He gained a lot of friends that way and I know he really enjoyed that."

Though often in the background, Bruce DuBois supported his wife's political career.

"He was very supportive of me. When I raised my hand (to take an oath) it always had to be with his support," the mayor said. "He was very proud of what I was doing. He appreciated it and supported it and was proud that I was doing stuff in Lakewood. He loved Lakewood."

A father and grandfather, Bruce could often be heard saying how lucky he was and how blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends, his wife said.

"Bruce thought we were so lucky to live in this great city, that our children were healthy and grew up to be responsible," the mayor said. "We were so fortunate. We had good friends and lived comfortably."

Diane DuBois said she has been touched by the outpouring of love and support since her husband's death.

"It helps for people to call and say, `We're thinking of you,' `We're praying for you,"' she said.

It's like a blanket thrown over you to help keep you warm, she said.

In addition to his wife, Bruce DuBois is survived by daughters Sheri Vandermause and Judy Ingram; four grandchildren; and a sister, Anne Beckett.